d I only mean to say, that if my experience could in person
have _directed_[66] those exertions of individuals, there was every
appearance that Almighty God would have continued to bless my
endeavours." This opinion he reiterated to Lord Howe, even more
positively, after four months' longer reflection, in a letter dated
January 8, 1799; and, whether the result would or would not have
equalled his belief, the traces are clear that what was wanted, during
the remainder of that eventful night, was just that concord of action
which the head imparts to the members. Messages went from ship to
ship, captains consulted together and proposed to move together, and
did move separately; there was no lack of good-will, nor, as Nelson
says, of exertion; but men were not quite sure of what the other man
would do, and felt no authority to command him; and there was
hesitation over risks, and cautious delays about soundings and shaky
spars, which, the author is persuaded, would not have deterred Nelson
in such conditions, where victory was decisive, though not yet
complete. Illustrations would perhaps be invidious, as seeming to
imply a blame upon individuals which Nelson expressly disavowed; blame
that officers of exceptional professional capacity, concerning whom
the measured professional opinion of Lord Howe affirmed that the
Battle of the Nile "was unparalleled in this respect, that _every
captain_ distinguished himself," fell short of the peculiar excellence
attained by Nelson only among the men of his day. Moreover, this work
does not aim at a discussion of battles, except so far as they touch
Nelson personally. It may, however, be permissible to remark, that the
incident here under discussion suggests a doubt about the opinion, too
easily current, that an admiral's powers of control cease when the
battle joins. Under the circumstances, it is probable that Nelson,
being so far incapacitated as he thought himself, should have
transferred the direction of affairs, formally, to the next senior
officer, with general orders to secure the best results attainable.

The following morning it was found that the leading six ships of the
French had already struck their colors. The "Orient" having blown up,
there were six survivors. Of these, one, the "Tonnant," next astern of
the "Orient," though dismasted, was still afloat, a mile behind her
former position, having dropped there to avoid the explosion. The
"Heureux" and "Mercure," which had